He largest supervolcano in the world has awakened and it may be the only chance we have to pierce it and absorb its energy. This context could be conducive to starting this corner of the world with a source of geothermal energy (which we will tell you more about in this article). However, opinions are divided as to whether this is wise or not. The problem is that geothermal power plants extract a significant amount of groundwater, one of the basic ingredients for geyser formation.
Although the water is injected back into the subsurface, the process is not the same as the natural process. Water levels, temperature, pressure and chemical composition fluctuate slightly. All these aspects can soften or even destroy sensitive formations such as geysers. National Geographic has published the opinion of Helen RobinsonPhD candidate at the University of Glasgowwho assured that scientists already know how to mitigate these effects.
A clear example is that of Icelandof which the geothermal activity is a reference. They take advantage of their volcanic power through initiatives and their use has little impact on the environment. In fact, 90% of the citizens of Iceland They live in houses with geothermal heating and 25% of their electricity is generated from the same energy. Robinson warns that the success of Iceland It has to do with geothermal companies analyzing where to drill and keeping wells away from geysers.
Is it time to harness the geothermal energy of the world’s largest supervolcano?
He supervolcano the one we’re talking about is in the northwest corner of Wyomingwhere 10,000 hydrothermal formations dominate the landscape Yellowstone National Park. Years ago Yellowstone and other national parks are protected from commercial energy exploitation to ensure they remain pristine. Yellowstone It is accomplished by the U.S. Geothermal Energy Act of 1970, which bans the construction of geothermal power plants in national parks.
The geothermal energy It has exorbitant potential as a clean energy, but also comes with disadvantages as mentioned above. Moreover, if new power plants wanted to come into the area, they would also face resistance from local communities concerned about preserving the environment.
The geothermal areas of Yellowstone They cover various accounts of geysers in the national park and other features such as terminal waters, clay pots and fumaroles. The figure of thermal characteristics in Yellowstone It amounts to approximately 10,000. An analysis completed in 2011 found that 1,283 geysers erupt in Yellowstone. Of these, 465 remained active for a year.
These are spread over 9 geyser basins, with some geysers spread over smaller terminal areas throughout the park. The number of geysers in each basin is as follows: Upper Geyser Basin (410), Midway Geyser Basin (59), Lower Geyser Basin (283), Norris Geyser Basin (193), West Thumb Geyser Basin (84), Gibbon Geyser Basin (24), Lone Star Geyser (21), Shoshone Geyser Basin (107), Heart Lake Geyser Basin (69)other areas (33).
The largest supervolcano in the world has revolutionary energy, but many do not want to use it
If a project with these characteristics (such as those of Iceland) reached the park, could easily divert the supervolcano’s underground hydrothermal system, leaving surface formations intact, and drill to depths to produce geothermal energy, according to Mary Richardscoordinator of the geothermal laboratory of the Southern Methodist University, Dallaswhose testimony was also published by the above-mentioned media.
However, she is not in favor of drilling in this area, because the installation in such a pristine area would not go unnoticed, and also because it is a nature park. Ultimately, the largest supervolcano in the world could be an important source of geothermal energybut for now, experts choose not to abuse it. A case that contradicts what is happening in Spain, which is ready to blow up one of its islands to exploit the energy of its volcanoes.